AFC Fylde defeat Huddersfield Town side as preparations continue to resume season

The Coasters have continued to train daily since the National League North season was declared null and void, and Saturday’s match was designed to help Jim Bentley’s squad to keep ticking over.

Fylde are among the clubs campaigning to continue the season and developments are expected in the coming days.

Striker Kurt Willoughby scored twice, with Sam Osborne and Owen Robinson also on target after a goalless first half.

Fylde had previously played only twice this year. The second of those was their victory at York City on February 16, two days before the season was terminated.

Nick Haughton and Alex Whitmore came closest to scoring for Fylde in the first half, while at the other end keeper Chris Neal had to save smartly from the Terriers’ Pat Jones and Kit Elliott.

Fylde introduced Jordan Lussey, Danny Philliskirk and Manchester City loanee Camron Gbadebo for the second half and took the lead seven minutes in. Osborne finished from close range after good work down the left from Junior Mondal.

Willoughby put the Coasters in control by curling the second into the top right corner three minutes later.

Fylde iced the cake with two late goals, Willoughby driving home an unstoppable free-kick on 83 minutes.

Bentley introduced four more players in the second half. These included academy product Robinson, who won a penalty which he converted himself.

The Coasters resume training this week anxious for news on the possible continuation of their season.

Meetings have been continuing behind the scenes at National League and FA level, and formal proposals could be imminent for a combined competition involving clubs from National League North and National League South who wish to play on.

Fylde team v Huddersfield: Neal, Burke, Obi, Whitmore, Conlan, Osborne, Perkins, Nolan, Mondal, Haughton, Willoughby; Subs used: Byrne, Gbadebo, Green, Lussey, Philliskirk, Robinson, Stanley.

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